National Blog

Why do Lindsey Graham and Marco Rubio Hate the Internet so much?

SPRINGFIELD, Virginia- Today, Campaign for Liberty issued the following statement from C4L President John Tate strongly opposing the reintroduction of the “Restoration of America’s Wire Act,” (RAWA), S. 1668. RAWA would institute a federal ban on Internet gambling, trampling on the United States Constitution, which gives the state’s sole respecting authority to regulate iGaming. The legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and cosponsored by Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Dan Coats (R-IN), Mike Lee (R-UT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

S. 1668 also threatens every American by giving the federal government another reason to spy on our online activities.

RAWA was also introduced in the 113th Congress but received little support from members of Congress and the American people.

S. 1668, however, does have the support of one Las Vegas billionaire, who would stands to benefit financially from a federal ban limiting competition in the gambling industry.

“It is shameful that Senators Graham, Rubio, and others would trade state sovereignty and Internet Freedom for possible campaign contributions. How are the American people supposed to believe the GOP will take America in a new direction if at the first chance, its senators are selling out the American people for cash,” said C4L President John Tate.

“A Party that thinks it can expand its ranks among young people by limiting Internet Freedom, expanding the surveillance state, and issuing top-down regulations, will have a rude awakening when it forever loses this generation.

“This is not just an issue that should concern those who like to gamble, but should concern all Americans who value state sovereignty, free markets, and a free and open Internet.

“I urge Campaign for Liberty members and all Americans who value Internet Freedom and free markets, even if they don’t gamble, to contact their legislators and tell them to oppose the ‘Restoration of America’s Wire Act’.”

About The Restoration of America’s Wire Act:
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (S. 2159) in the United States Senate on March 26, 2014. Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) introduced identical legislation (H.R. 4301) in the House of Representatives on April 16, 2014. At the end of the 113th Congress the legislation had 4 and 19 cosponsors, respectively.